Hewlett-Packard to cut 500 Conway jobs

Hewlett-Packard Co. is planning to cut about 500 jobs at its customer-support center in Conway, a spokesman said Monday.

“As part of our efforts to streamline our business processes, advance innovation and deliver the best possible experience for our customers, employees and shareholders, on July 8, 2013, HP internally announced plans to restructure its Customer Support Specialist/Contact Center footprint in Conway, AR,” the spokesman said in an email.

The company employed about 1,400 people in Conway, according to the Conway Development Corp.'s website.

The layoffs, which are effective immediately, are part of a plan announced by the company last year to reduce expenses and turn around its struggling business.

Hewlett-Packard said in September 2012 it would cut 29,000 jobs by October 2014, up from the 27,000 cuts announced in earlier last year.

The company, which makes printers and computers, has been hurt by the shift from PCs and printers towards mobile devices, such as tablets.